Argentina

Summary of life in Argentina through statistics

Argentina

Summary of life in Argentina through statistics

How are they doing?

After recovering from several revolutions throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, we check in with Argentina to see how they have grown since then, and how their country compares to one of the powerhouses of today, the United States.

Annual Gross Domestic Product

This data shows us that the annual GDP per capita in Argentina is less than half of that of the United States. However in the years between 2010 and 2012 the Argentinian GDP grew by $14,000 and the United States by $12,000, not only does this mean that the Argentinian economy is growing at a higher rate that of the United States; but also that they are becoming increasingly more competitive and productive as a nation. After economic struggles that plagued the nation from 1998-2002, Argentina has made a remarkable recovery in the past ten years. They have become one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America, and at the rate their GDP is continuing to climb, they are on a fast track for success.

Debt

Although they fall behind The United States in annual GDP, Argentina makes up for their less than ideal finish with an overwhelming victory in the debt category. With debt being represented as a percentage of the total annual GDP, we can see that Argentina is the only country with a debt total that makes up less that half of their annual profits. This is a huge benefit to their country because it ensures that their already small GDP isn't further diminished by spending money on paying off debts. This small debt also saves money for the people on taxes, and creates a wealthier government treasury with enough funds to adequately provide for the population.

After their economic depression around 2002, the Argentine government took out massive debts from the IMF in order to get their country back on their feet. It is a remarkable feat that these debts, totaling more than ten billion dollars, have been so quickly paid off. The fact that they have not only been able to repay these debts, but also reduce their total debt to less than half of their annual GDP is a sign of their quickly growing economic ventures.

Inflation - 2012

Inflation is one aspect of their economy with which Argentina has continually struggled throughout the years. During their depression, inflation spiked to over 40% before dropping quickly back off, and then gradually increasing right away. President Kirchner, who took office in 2007, has been plagued with dissatisfaction at her attempts to restructure the economy and lower inflation rates nationwide. Inflation in the Argentine economy is one of the largest problems the country faces to date. The United States and Spain have much lower rates, and probably much more consumer profits. This struggle with inflation is damaging Argentina's ability to profit of consumers and giving them the largest inflation percentage not only in Latin America, but the entire world.

Argentina's Current Society

As the 33rd largest country in the large (in terms of population) Argentina's society has gone through many changes in an attempt to improve the lives of its citizens. Education reforms, health care, sanitary improvements, and aid for the unemployed have assisted the people on moving forward.

Argentina's Literacy Rate

Argentina's literacy rates are very high, almost matching those of the United States. Their literacy rate and primary school enrollment have greatly improved recently, However, grade repetition and secondary school complement are still low.

Life Expectancy

Although Argentina's population is huge (it's the 33rd most populous country in the world), its growth rate is gradually beginning to slow. Fortunately, the average life expectancy has been increasing and it is now catching up with the US, they even have the 68th highest life expectancy in the world, which is better than many Latin American countries. Most noticeably, the life expectancy for the young and poor of the country have improved.

Poverty in Argentina

Argentina has about twice the percentage of people under the poverty line than the United States (30% vs 15.1%). Although 30% is still a large portion of the population this is a great improvement since 2006 when almost 60% of the population was under the poverty line.

Argentina's Politics

Argentina has a vibrant political history, known for quickly changing government structures and frequent rebellions and revolutions. Political life in Argentina throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century faced many obstacles and often entire re-structuring of the political landscape. Today, Argentina's political vibrancy is reflected in many aspects of its country's daily life.

Political Parties

Argentina has many more active voices in government than the US, having eight major political parties in Buenos Aires, and many more throughout the provinces. The country also has dozens of bodies of political influence, organizations that are political in nature but do not hold the title of being an official political party. The many political parties reflect the nature of Argentina to be intricate in its politics, not compromising its ideals or combining two similar ideals. Strong political structure is very important to Argentina.

Changes to the Constitution

Argentina has not had as many reforms to their Constitution as the US or Spain, but they change their actual Constitution more often. Argentina has used numbers constitutions such as the Constitution of 1826, the Constitution of 1853, and the Constitution of 1819. Reforms to the constitution currently in use, the Constitution of 1853, are rarer and less specific, such as adding in social rights to the constitution in 1956.

GDP Expenditures

The way that the government of Argentina spends the nation's money reflects the priorities of the government. Argentina, like many other South American countries, feels strongly about the need for a good education and opportunity for children. They spend sixteen times more on health services than they do on the military, showing that the government is designed in a way that prioritizes public health and safety. Argentina's political life is very centered around the good of the people.

Industrial Growth Rate

Argentina's government has one of the strongest holds over the economy in the world, placing 160th out of 173 countries for economic freedom. Their government has a heavy influence on the economy, and recently has been interfering with the oil industries and banning certain countries such as Britain from using Argentine oil, or having any sort of presence in Argentine energy. As a result of the political tensions Argentina has, an equal effect on the economy and Argentine industry can be seen, showing how closely tied the two are.